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A proposal to create a children’s services council in Leon County cleared a major hurdle Tuesday night after county commissioners voted unanimously to set it for public hearing in June.

Commissioners, most of whom expressed strong support for the proposal, appear poised to let voters decide in the fall whether they want to establish an independent taxing authority that would oversee the council. If voters sign off on the proposal, the council would have the power to levy up to half a mill in property taxes, generating between $7.5 and $8 million a year in revenue.

Commissioner John Dailey last month proposed moving forward with a referendum, arguing that such a council could address a wide array of children’s issues, including health and economic disparities, childhood poverty and hunger, homelessness, juvenile crime and school readiness.

“We have study after study after study after study after study,” Dailey said. “And that tells us that we have to pay attention to our children and that there are certain things that we can do. Do we need metrics? Absolutely. Do we need to measure our outcomes? Absolutely. Do we need to streamline our services? Absolutely. Do we need to coordinate as a community? Absolutely. All of that can take place under a children’s services council.”

Dailey initially asked for a public hearing next month on whether to set the proposal for a referendum. However, he agreed at the behest of his colleagues to have the public hearing on June 19, which would give the county time to put together information and data — and a campaign to educate voters. Commissioners will take the issue up again before the public hearing on May 22.

And while a core group of supporters is expected to mount a major campaign to push for passage of the council, it's already facing some headwinds.

The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce issued a position statement Tuesday afternoon urging commissioners to conduct a needs assessment and economic impact study of the proposal before going to the ballot. The Leon County Republican Party also announced its opposition to the proposal, calling it a "bad idea" that would impose an $8 million burden on taxpayers.

A number of people expressed support for the council, including School Board member Rosanne Wood, Rabbi Jack Romberg of Temple Israel and Tallahassee attorney Jon Moyle.

Some commissioners expressed concern over the timing of the proposal and whether advocates can win enough community support over the roughly nine months left before the general election.

"I want you to understand how important it is that this passes," said Commission Chairman Nick Maddox. "Because if this thing gets on the ballot and fails, when is the next time we have an opportunity to entertain it? I would imagine that it won’t be while I sit on this dais. And that would be a shame for all the kids that live here in Leon County who desperately need the help.”

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.